True story: my parents met because of music. My mom was a DJ and program director at her college radio station, and my dad was working at a record label, so they got to know each other through work. Growing up, there was always music playing in the house or the car, and I went to a lot of shows. Though he would never share them publicly, my dad has lots of stories about various artists and their songs. I definitely think that exposure to great music as a kid and hearing about the process and work behind those finished products contributed to my becoming a writer. For about thirty seconds, I considered going into broadcast as a “practical” option, but I guess from having worked with nutty creative types who still managed to keep their shit together, my parents trusted me to make writing part of my career path.

My parents in the 1980s

Music is still a big part of my life. I like to listen to music while cooking, and if I have people over, there’s almost always something playing in the background. I’ve got some fun guest posts and collaborations coming up for your guys, so today I’m excited to share a special brunch playlist. This would be a perfect for a day you can invite your friends over, set up an avocado toast bar, and pour some mimosas. Or, you know, any day you want to eat yummy food and drink before five.

Avocado toast is a winner for a group or a party of one because there are so many ways to dress it up without much effort.  You can add extra protein with an egg, a couple tablespoons of hemp hearts, or smoked salmon. Avocado toast also makes an awesome blank canvas for colorful veggies like sliced tomato, beautiful pink radishes, and roasted peppers. Sesame and chia seeds also add a satisfying crunch. When all else fails, you can’t go wrong with a pinch of sea salt and a squirt of lime juice.

While it doesn’t have much protein, avocado’s combination of  heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (which are also good for the brain) and fiber helps you stay full for longer by slowing digestion.

I thought that instead of you guys having to listen to my music, I’d change things up and bring in an actual DJ to spin some brunch tunes for you. DJ CoolHand is an award-winning DJ based in New York City, and he created this awesome playlist to make any morning feel like a brunch party.

Something we could all use on a Monday!

I first connected with DJ Coolhand in my networking group and have been super-impressed with the playlists he shares. Seriously, this guy travels all over the country to do events, and I’m super-excited to finally collaborate on something. You can visit https://djcoolhand.com for more info on how to book him, sample mixes, and check out his blog.

You can also connect with him on social media:

What music do you like to listen to while cooking or eating? 

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